Bookcrossing

[Abbynormal92243]

I first heard about THIS group from someone in Bookcrossing-- Has anyone else ever heard of the bookcrossing site? Oh, my gosh---it dovetails neatly into this one---it's about setting books free--making the world a library, basically. I've been a member for a few months, and have already read several books I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
I'm tickled to find a way of tracking where my books go---I've given books away for as long as I can remember----and now I have a chance to peek in on their journeys.

here, if it's not too forward of me: http://bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/abbynormal92243

I have a tutorial link midway down the page that you can check out.
I occasionally trade with others on the site, but usually I just leave my books in odd places all over town.

Please PM me if you have any questions. It's all free, and totally addictive.

[njcfyi]

I agree, I love BookCrossing. The best thing is when someone who has found your book logs on- I had one go from Chelmsford to Helsinki! Fantastic!

[Tess]

I have just joined this because a member (BrumB) of this bookgroup sent me a bookcrossing book. I had never heard of it before and once I realised what it involved I was so excited! I plan to release my first book this weekend, I hope it is logged, I don't think I could take the disappointment of it not being found :(
How much success have you had with your released books?

[BrumB]

I have released any number of books and have only had one found in the wild. However, other Bookxers have reassured me that sometimes people don't log them on for a year or more! I suppose it doen't really matter - the point is that someone has found a free book and, hopefully, enjoys it. On the other hand, it is very exciting when your first book is logged on. I think the key may be in leaving them where people are likely to have access to a computer. The one I had found was left in Staff House at Birmingham Uni - the two I left in the Sports Centre never got logged!! It's just as good tho to pass the book on to someone who appreciates it and logs it on - thanks.

[Jassie]

I'd love to have the courage to release books in the wild but it hurts to get rid of any of my books, even the ones I didn't really enjoy. I'll have to wait until my bookshelves are bursting and do a cull.

I learnt about bookcrossing ages ago when there was a news report on a mass release in Manchester and I signed up on the site then, but I have yet to release anything...gotta be braver! I do think it is a brilliant idea though.

[megustaleer]

I joined 'Bookcrossing' (under a different name) last March, very excited at the idea of all these books being 'released into the wild'. I'm afraid it has not lived up to my expectations. Of nearly 70 books 'released' only 5 have been 'found'. Admittedly one went from here in Essex over to the USA, which was exciting, but since then has, like most of the books I have parted with in this way, disappeared from view.
The most successful site for releasing books (with 2 having been found there) has been the physiotherapy department waiting room at the local hospital. An internet cafe has drawn a complete blank!

[Slowreader]

Mrs Slowreader and I had a look at this but decided that it would be best to continue to give spare books to charity shops as (a)they will make a few bob on them for a good cause and (b) if you leave a book somewhere how do you know that it won't just get thrown in the garbage?

[BrumB]

Well, it might get thrown in the garbage but it might not. Someone, who wouldn't otherwise buy or read a book, might find it and read it. What have you got to lose?

[megustaleer]

There is nothing to stop a Bookcrossing member 'releasing' their books into Charity shops after registering them and inscribing them with Bookcrossing details.
In fact, that is probably the best method, as they are more likely to be picked up by someone who wants a book, and you will be helping the charity. Indeed, someone might buy the book just because they are intrigued by the reference to Bookcrossing.
Must try that myself, I've got a few books ready to go.

[Slowreader]

Well, it might get thrown in the garbage but it might not. Someone, who wouldn't otherwise buy or read a book, might find it and read it. What have you got to lose?

Well given that the book would be leaving my ownership and I'd recieve nothing for it then I'd lose nothing. That's obvious isn't it? The point I was making was that the book may be trashed, which would be a waste, would it not? Anyway, I'll try Megustaleer's idea - seems like a good one.

[Junco]

under another name. I have just registered here today, hi all! :D

[Starry]

I've been a member for nearly two years now and of the 103 books I've released into the wild, 2 have been caught. One I left outside the library and one I donated to charity. I live in an area where there are a lot of retired people who cannot afford computers so I'm not surprised my catch rate is so low. I've probably released half of the books to the charity shops (and I've probably bought half my books from them as well). I like releasing to charity shops because I know the books won't get thrown in the bin without at least an attempt at selling them and given that I live in Wales they won't get wet either :)

Anyone going to the UK (Un)Convention this year?

[BrumB]

Well given that the book would be leaving my ownership and I'd recieve nothing for it then I'd lose nothing. That's obvious isn't it? The point I was making was that the book may be trashed, which would be a waste, would it not? Anyway, I'll try Megustaleer's idea - seems like a good one.
Point taken. I am a bit of an optimist and think most people find it difficult to trash a book. However, I think it is a great idea to release books to charity shops and I have found two that way.

[Tess]

I've decided to follow your lead Brum and release books to people from this group, that way I know the book is going to a good home (btw I have listed two books in the book swapping thread!) I still think I will leave some in public just to see what happens, I would be so excited if a book I had left got registered.

[BrumB]

Had a book found yesterday, only my second, by a rather grumpy person who said they doubted if they would read it! But it's a result. Will have a look at your list - good idea.

[Abbynormal92243]

NONE of my wild releases have been journaled----but they've all been picked up!

Something that makes up for that is the delight fellow BXers have gotten from surprise RABCKs from me (Random Acts of BookCrossing Kindness).
They do journal the books, usually, and I know positively that the books have gone to a happy home.

[BrumB]

abbeynormal, how do RABCK work? Do you pm the recipient asking for their address? Sorry if this is a stupid question with an obvious answer. Incidentally, in the last few days I have released 4 books and had two journalled - whoopee!

[Abbynormal92243]

abbeynormal, how do RABCK work? Do you pm the recipient asking for their address? Sorry if this is a stupid question with an obvious answer. Incidentally, in the last few days I have released 4 books and had two journalled - whoopee!


:)
not a stupid question at all!

Yes, you PM the person, tell them you have a book you want to send, and ask for their address.

[Tess]

I was wondering how many of my fellow BGO members also belonged to BookCrossing? If you don't then why not?!!!

The reason being that I was interested in making my own BookCrossing bookring which is where you send a book to one person who then passes it on to the next etc and I would like to do this with BGO members. Each time the book is read a journal entry can be made online and the book should eventually be returned to the original owner. I think its a nice way of sharing some of your favourite books without having to part company forever, it also gives the book the opportunity to see some more of the world!

So are you registered with BookCrossing and what is your username? My BookCrossing name is Izzles.

<A HREF="http://www.bookcrossing.com">BookCrossing</A>

[My Friend Jack]

Yup, I'm a member. Happy to join your ring - I'm MyFriendJack (lacking in inspiration on the day I joined, it would seem!).

[megustaleer]

I'm a BookXer too.(Irene45 on that site).

Sadly I have too many reading commitments to join in a bookring at the moment, but hope it goes well.

[BrumB]

I too am a Bookxer. My name is Brumbie - no surprise there. Am feeling very smug at present as I took a book to Prague, left it in a phone kiosk and it has found its way to Poland, duly journalled on my Booksing bookshelf. Right now am overwhelmed with books but would be happy to join a bookring latert on in the Autumn.

[Opal]

I'm one too! I'm GirlFromMars84 on there. I joined cos of a book being passed round here, so haven't really used the site much!

I like the idea of a bookring - I do have a lot on my to read/currently being read list at the mo, but I'd be interested in joining!

[Adrian]

I'm on with the same user name. I've never released a book yet but intend to start soon. The bookring idea sounds tempting.

[Starry]

I'm a member too - BX name - Starry-Starry.

I have two bookrings in the house at the moment and I have been trying to cut back so I get to the TBR pile {sigh} So I would have to say no to your ring at the moment, perhaps later in the year though :)

Good luck

[Tess]

Thank you for all those wanting to join my bookring, all I need to do now is choose a book!

If anyone else wants to join in then you are most welcome. Please note there needn't be a rush to read the book as the idea behind this is the novelty factor, I like to think of my book travelling and would enjoy the journal entrys so please don't be put off by time constraints. I do however appreciate how the TBR pile can get out of hand!

I'm now going to peruse my bookcase for a suitable book, if it’s an awful choice then you are always free to drop out :D

[Claire]

Yes, I think I'm interested - I am on BookCrossing, but I, er, can't remember what I registered as :rolleyes: I'll have to go away and investigate!

Do we all choose a book and send it round at the same time? Or just you? I'm a little unclear what I'm agreeing to, (but as long as it involves books arriving by post, it's got to be a good thing!)

[Tess]

Claire your username is Second-Mouse - I have this from when you sent me Zen :)

The bookring works like this - I pick a book, make a list of members in the ring and post this on my bookcrossing user page. I then send it the first person on the list who should read the book (just incase that part was unclear!!) and journal their thoughts upon completion. They would then need to contact the next person on the list for their address so that the book can be sent on again. If all goes well this should continue down the list where the last person should return the book to me.

Some bookrings seem to have time constraints, for example it is thought each person should have the book for no more than X weeks. I'm not fussed about this but would suggest that if the book is unlikely to ever be read or doesn't appeal to tastes that it should be sent on and not gather too much dust!

It’s a little extravagant maybe but I think its fun - I get the enjoyment of my book travelling and those on the list the nice surprise of a book arriving by post.

This bookring would be for just the one book that I choose but if anyone would like to start another one of their own then I would like to be involved too!

[babelbel]

I'm registered on book crossing too and my user name is the same as here.

I actually found it through this site. I use the forum on there for bookrings and book rays and I've joined quite a few. Its always nice to get a book in the post and its a good way of 'borrowing' books.

I had a request from someone when I registered my copy of the Time Travelers Wife that we read in the bookgroup on here. I decided it would be a good idea to start my own bookring from that. My copy has 'travelled' through Scotland, the Netherlands and France so far.

I've made a couple of wild releases but none of them have been picked up - I live in hope!

I'm happy to join your bookring for a surprise read so stick me on your list!

[Lady Lazarus]

I'm on Bookcrossing, same name as here... only signed up as there was a book being passed around here. Incidentally I still have the Time Traveller's Wife available for a bookcrossing journey if anyone's interested! I might be interested in the bookring thing, depends on what the book is! :D

[Hazel]

I am a member too - but I only released 3 books, never picked up, and I lost interest. Maybe I will try again and get more into the spirit of it!

[kridabo]

I used to belong to a different forum for booklovers where Bookcrssing was brought up by a few ardent supporters.. I actually never got around to doing anything until last night actually.. I decided to release a few books that I no longer read or have duplicates of. Released my first book yesterday :D Hope somebody finds him so he won't be lonely too long....

[Tess]

The book I have chosen is The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.

If you still want to be part of the bookring PM me and I shall put you on the list.

[Flingo]

I'm a bookcrosser too - my name is "Flingo" funnily enough.

I have just received the book crossing merchandise that I bought about a month ago - with release kit - so am looking forward to freeing some books!

[Claire]

Claire your username is Second-Mouse - I have this from when you sent me Zen :)



Thanks Tess! (I don't suppose you know the pin for my co-op card as well do you.......no? Oh well, never mind....)

Yup, sign me up, please. I've heard of The Shipping News, but I know nothing at all about it - how exciting!!

[Nancy]

I'd like to join too please! Im Zippy32 in Bookcrossing. I've always meant to read The shipping news & never got round to it.

I've only released 2 books so far and had not much success - one went abroad which I was v. excited about but no word since. The other I left in a local restaurant under my chair and they've put it in their bookcase!

If anyone's in Glasgow and visits Mother India's Cafe on Argyle St feel free to pick up the copy of Anita & Me - It's bright pink so you can't miss it!

[Tess]

Thanks for your interest Nancy, I have put you on the list :)

[Opal]

Hmmm.... long time since this thread was started! I'd actually forgotten all about it until I got The Shipping News from MFJ this morning! Was there ever a thread set up to discuss it...? I have looked but couldn't find anything! :confused:

Anyway, I'll be making a start on it soon I hope, just got to remember to pack it for the final move back to uni this weekend! :D

[Tess]

I didn't set up a thread to discuss it on BGO, the idea instead is to make a journal entry with your thoughts on the bookcrossing website, this therefore becomes a record of where the book has travelled and what people have thought. Incidentally, MFJ hasn't posted his thoughts on the book so a slapped wrist for him! :p

It would be nice to also have a discussion on BGO so I may start a thread soon (or MFJ could, to make up for his scandalous bookcrossing effort!!)

[My Friend Jack]

Er... I'll consider my wrist well and truly slapped, then. (Note to self - show no sympathy to Tess after next Tuesday's game! ;) )

In advance of my posting some thoughts on BXing, I will say that I really enjoyed this highly unusual book. An odd narrative style, but very effective. I was several chapters in before I realised that the story is set in modern times - I thought it was taking place at least 50 years ago - no idea why, but I did! I enjoyed the way that the thoughts of the main character were occasionally expressed as newspaper headlines - I even found myself doing this earlier today ("Man in hurry pees on own shoe").

[Flingo]

Once you have posted the comments you want to make to BookXing, MFJ, can you copy the link here for us please?

Ta!

[My Friend Jack]

Done!

http://bookcrossing.com/journal/3022596/thankyou/?journalid=4909759&referringmember=&releaseid=

[BrumB]

I'm also a member of Bookxing and have read any number of books I would never have heard of until I joined. Here in Birmingham we have two Official Bookxing zones i.e. a shelf in Hudson's Coffee shop in Colmore Row and the Electric Cinema in Station Street. People leave books there, after they have been registered on Bookxing, and anyone can take them - hopefully they will then join and journal which book they have found.

[Flingo]

Posts 19-30 missing

[Flingo]

Page 3 of original thread

Mungus 3rd July 2006 10:06 PM
I've just clicked on Abbynormal92234's link in her first post. From her listing and the other posts here, I'd say bookcrossing is doing much better in the US than in the UK!

Starry 3rd July 2006 10:17 PM
I've just clicked on Abbynormal92234's link in her first post. From her listing and the other posts here, I'd say bookcrossing is doing much better in the US than in the UK!
Are you going by her release stats? The releases caught figure includes books that she has sent out to other bookcrossers so may not reflect her actual wild catches. Take a look at my shelf if you like:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Starry-Starry

I've actually had 5 wild catches not the 268 shown there. The average catch rate is between 15% and 20% and the UK is no better or worse than the US, it all depends on where you live and how many active bookcrossers are in the area. Your chances are higher if you release in an Official Bookcrossing Zone or in an area where there has been a lot of publicity. For example, Radio Shropshire has a regular Friday slot where bookcrossing activities are discussed and Radio Coventry does regular updates and interviews with bookcrossers. Chances are also higher if you talk to the person who picks up the book. Some bookcrossers are shameless in their promotion of bookcrossing, but it does work

Flingo 3rd July 2006 10:20 PM
The monthly (fortnightly?) bookcrossing newsletter gives a breakdown of books released and caught for the period.

The US does have a much higher percentage of these, but I wouldn't have thought these were statistically significant (ooh-er, I didn't think I even knew phrases like that!) if you compared them to population figures. Next time I get one of the newsletters I'll have a closer look and copy the stats in here.

r3nu4l 4th July 2006 03:02 PM
I heard about this on BBC Radio4. They did a pilot study of 10 books and obviously must have inscribed the books with a BBC email address because they got responses for all released books. Amazing stuff and I definitely agree that they should be donated to Charity shops so they can make a few bob on them :)

I found a book on the train a few months ago and thought it might have been a free book in the wild but there was no inscription so I read it and re-released it onto a train. Haven't heard anything back yet.

Mungus 4th July 2006 08:54 PM
Originally Posted by Starry
Are you going by her release stats? The releases caught figure includes books that she has sent out to other bookcrossers so may not reflect her actual wild catches. Take a look at my shelf if you like:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Starry-Starry
I was going on the release stats, I hadn't realised that there was a difference. Still, a lot of books sent out there!

PinkyWolfy 13th July 2006 04:56 PM
I'm a huge fan of Bookcrossing, have had about 5 books found and journalled. You don't necessarily have to release books into the wild to enjoy this site - I have traded with many other bookcrossers and read books I wouldn't normally have considered. Here's the link to my shelf - feel free to visit!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/DianeO

Adrian 8th August 2006 11:42 AM
From Jebbie74's bookcrossing page I see AVL used. Could someone enlighten me, please.

I really should update my own bookcrossing profile and actually do something :rolleyes:

Adrian 8th August 2006 11:47 AM
It's OK, I got it. AVL=Available.

jebbie74 9th August 2006 12:37 AM
I find bookcrossing is a great place for me to keep my books organized :) I don't do much forum surfing there anymore, but I've met a lot of great people from there, and if I remember correctly, it turned me onto this site. It also got me in touch with a spin-off group called Bookrelay where most of my trades come from, and most of my forum hours are spent :)

I haven't had very many wild catches. 3 in total I think, so I tend not to wild release very often.

[Adrian]

Whilst nowhere near as literary as bookcrossing I do like the idea of postcrossing

http://www.postcrossing.com

"send a postcard and receive one back from a random postcrosser somewhere in the world"

[tagesmann]

Whilst nowhere near as literary as bookcrossing I do like the idea of postcrossingThat sounds interesting. Have you tried it?

[Adrian]

That sounds interesting. Have you tried it?
Yes, I've sent three (to Helsinki, Portugal and Germany) but it was only a couple of days ago and they haven't been received and registered by the recipient.

Due to my geographical location I'm hoping to be a high-mileage user (the total miles your cards have travelled) :D

[megustaleer]

Due to my geographical location I'm hoping to be a high-mileage user (the total miles your cards have travelled) :DI notice that you have moved from Wellington. Did you move far?

[Adrian]

I notice that you have moved from Wellington. Did you move far?
I've moved to the top of the South Island - biggest town in Marlborough in the middle of the biggest wine region :beerchug:

[Radders]

I am a member of Bookcrossing (http://www.bookcrossing.com) too, using the same name as I do on here.

I have registered several books but not released many of them yet. I find it very exciting when I release one however and have made a (mid-year?) resolution to release more. Would love to meet you on this site if you're a member.

[Flingo]

Any idea what happened to the Shipping News? It's been more than 3 years and I'm still waiting!!!

Just looking at the Bookcrossing shelf, it looks like it got a lot further along than I thought.

[nonsuch]

Yes, I'm a member, though haven't dropped any for a while. BCID 573-5796016. Same name.

[tagesmann]

I'm a member. My name is tagesmann there as well.
I regularly join bookrings and bookrays and am in the process of registering some spare books which I plan to release on 0246125748.

[katrina]

I'm a member as katrinat
I reguarly bookring/ray and do some wild releases.

[megustaleer]

I haven't been able to access my BookXing account for ages, as the email address I was using when I registered is now defunct (from two computers ago).

[Ian]

Hi,

Yes I am a member, but have no idea what my details are/were. It was quite addictive and after sorting out loads of books to put into circulation, my wife felt like a widow due to the time I spent deciding how best to get them out there.

One day when I was out at work, she binned everything and I haven't been back since (web-site, not home)

[Barblue]

I signed up a year or two back. Put a few books out there and picked up one or two, but somehow I've not had access to anything for ages - or put any more out. My username is 1734GCR - weird I know but it means a lot to me and my family! ;)

[Radders]

I'm a member and have been for a few years, I don't use it as much as I'd like to though - there is just not enough hours in the day!

[FirelightSpirit]

I'm a member too, but I haven't been there in ages. I used to just use it to list what I'd read, but I do that here now.

[megustaleer]

There was a small segment about Bookcrossing on Broadcasting House (Radio 4) this morning.
For anyone wanting to find it on Listen Again the piece was on at about 9.30am

[nonsuch]

I'm a member. Don't often drop a book, nor that much check the site. I'd be more interested in swapping than crossing, but that is an option too now.

[Radders]

I had my first book journalled and am so excited! It was found by someone who hadn't heard of bookcrossing so I had the added bonus of introducing someone to something new.

[Cassie]

Great to see that there are more Bookcrossers here. I'v been a member for almost 3 years and released over 1400 book in that time. I don't wild release that much, most of my books are left at three Bookcrossing zones that I manage. It's quite a job keeping the supply going and it's great when others release books there too. It is a real buzz when you get a message to say one of your books has been caught and maybe even a new member. The books leave the coffee shop shelves at a steady rate and the bonus is that you can be reasonably sure someone who actually wanted the book took it. Otherwise they would just have put it back. I'm not too bothered about getting journal enteries, that is just the icing on the cake!

One of the best catches I had was a book left in the coffee shop and taken by an unknown person and left on a cruise ship in the Red Sea, where it was found by an active Greek Bookcrosser who was on the same ship while on her honeymoon. Now that really made my day.

[r3nu4l]

To my shame I still haven't released a book into the wild :o

I guess releasing the first book is probably the hardest? I know my wife would love me to release some books so we don't have to buy more bookshelves but so far it's been tough to actually do it! :)

[Flingo]

I guess releasing the first book is probably the hardest? I must admit I find it quite hard releasing completely wildly - it's a strange feeling wandering off leaving the book behind. I tend to stick to "safe" situations like Bookcrossing Zones and Hotel bookshelves...

[megustaleer]

I started BookCrossing enthusiastic about the prospect of releasing books into the wild, and seeing where they get to, but after a couple of years of not hearing any more about the further travels of my books I gave up and started to dispose of my surplus in more traditional ways.

This morning, to my amazement, I received an email from Bx notifying me that one of my books has, at last, been 'journalled' .

One I released five years ago.

Obviously I have been too impatient, and gave up too soon. :D

edit:
I have merged the two BookCossing threads, as they cover pretty similar ground.

[nonsuch]

So, it does work! I've only been on it a couple of years and have yet to hear. I think I've only dropped 3 books though, so must hold breath for a few years.

[tagesmann]

I've released quite a few books into the wild and had 2 journalled. I also release books by other methods. It is perfectly acceptable to put a BookCrossing ID (BCID) in a book before giving it away to charity or even when selling second-hand via Amazon Marketplace. Mind you I have never had a journal entry from a book released this way.

I think the idea of releasing books into the wild that were just going to be thrown away is a great idea but I now prefer to donate to charity as I doubt that people who don't normally read books will pick up wild releases (which was the original object of BookCrossing) and so someone should benefit from my discards.

[Hazel]

My thing with Bookcrossing was that I wouldn't pick up a book if I saw one lying, it would feel dishonest, so I felt odd about leaving them.

[tagesmann]

I always put one of the official BookCrossing stickers on the book. It is a yellow post-it and says (in big letters) Free Book. I also have some clear plastic bags for winter (and summer!) releases.

[Hazel]

I always put one of the official BookCrossing stickers on the book. It is a yellow post-it and says (in big letters) Free Book. I also have some clear plastic bags for winter (and summer!) releases.Oh, well, that helps! I'd still feel like it was a trick. I am far too cynical for my own good.

[katrina]

A few of my books have been picked up, there is a large entry way in front of our library where I tend to release as I know readers will be going by. Mainly I swap books or RABCK books to other readers

[lunababymoonchild]

A friend I had years ago did this regularly - long before the internet was so common - although she wouldn't have called it book crossing! What she did was a read a book wherever she happened to be and then left it there because she didn't see the point in carrying a book that she had already read. So, she regularly left books on trains etc and reckoned that if someone else picked it up and read it that was good thing but if it was binned, then it was binned. Needless to say, she never did find out what happened to her books.

I'm with Hazel, if I saw a book lying around I'd assume that somebody had forgotten it and hand it in somewhere in the vain hope that they would come back for it or that it would be donated to charity. If it had a sticker on it I'd make sure that somebody else in the environment got it because I already have more than enough books to read as it is.

I prefer the idea of giving books to charity shops because it's always a donation to the charity (book and the revenue generated from said book, ideal really) and you are more likely that someone will read it. It also provides some kind of choice for the reader of the book. With book crossing it strikes me that the receiver gets to read the book on offer, or not. In a charity shop you get a choice whilst donating to the charity and getting a book out of it (ideal really).

Somewhat wet and windy up here in Scotland for leaving books out in the open, but as I said, my friend left them on trains the vast majority of the time.

[Cassie]

I have found a bookcrossing book in a charity shop which I promptly bought, journaled, read and released. I have also had one of my releases found (don't know how it arrived there) and journaled. My own option is the Bookcrossing release zone rather than the charity shop, as a large number of books donated get pulped anyway and some charitys don't like labeled books, it's better to check with them first. I do take books in good condition to Oxfam and Gift Aid them, but only the type that I think won't be popular on a Coffee Shop shelf.

[Cassie]

I haven't been able to access my BookXing account for ages, as the email address I was using when I registered is now defunct (from two computers ago).

megustaleer
Contact Support and they should be able to sort this out for you.

By the way I just looked at your bookshelf, you had a fabulous catch a few days ago!